Springboard+ Diploma in Big Data for Business

Springboard+ Certificate in Fund Accounting | Part-time

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Structure
  • Career Opportunities
  • Eligibility
  • Next Steps
  • Apply
SB Funder LogosCert in Fund Accounting 

Overview

The programme aims to develop learners' knowledge of the theory and practice of Fund Accounting necessary for them to secure employment and perform in a broad range of financial services type companies. The IFS sector in Ireland today is a broad-based industry. Foreign-owned multinationals provide front, middle and back-office roles across the range of established IFS sub-sectors including Funds; Banking and Payments; Insurance and Reinsurance; Investment and Asset Management; and Aircraft Leasing and Financing. Several hundred Irish-owned companies also operate across IFS sub-sectors including in payments, Financial Technology (FinTech), and related services, utilising innovative technology to offer disruptive products and services to the industry. Graduates will have a knowledge of the practical and theoretical aspects of Fund Accounting disciplines as they apply to the funds and markets sector.  

The programme incorporates Personal and Professional Development (PPD) within modules to enhance the student’s employability, which will enable them to integrate seamlessly into an organisation by addressing skills such as leadership, self‐management and teamwork that are essential in this area.

Specifically, the programme aims to: 

  • Develop knowledge in analysing the core business objectives and strategy of an organisation or strategic business unit in Fund Accounting. 

  • Develop skills necessary to be able to communicate and negotiate effectively with stakeholders within and outside of an organisation. 

  • Develop knowledge of fund accounting practices in the context of the strategic direction of a business  

  • Bridge the gap between technical concepts and business applications of fund accounting and financial services. 

  • Provide participants with a thorough understanding of the key governance and regulatory aspects of fund accounting.

The programme consists of 3 modules, each of 10 ECTS, and is normally completed in a single semester. An overview of each module follows.
 

Teaching and Assessment

DBS is committed to providing a flexible, active, peer-led, experiential and reflective learning environment for learners. As a result, throughout this programme, learners will experience a varied range of teaching and learning strategies, which have been selectively chosen and based on module content and suitability for assessment. While modules will be delivered through a mix of workshops, practical sessions, tutorials and lectures, teaching and learning will focus on the learner applying problem-solving skills and undertaking critical reflection and critique of case studies. The material will be presented during lectures and workshops with supporting material available via Moodle, DBS’s virtual learning environment. Learning, teaching and assessment for this programme, therefore, encourages learners to develop critical thinking, creative problem solving and analytical and evaluative skills relating to real-world scenarios.


Delivery

This is a multimodal programme. Learners are therefore timetabled to be in class or online. They will also have mandatory on-demand content as contact hours that they can do in their own time and place.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a place on this programme, applicants must hold a full Level 6 NFQ award or equivalent in any discipline.

For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not have a Level 6 qualification may also be considered through the college’s normal RPL procedures.  Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

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 *Eligibility and entry requirements apply.


Course Content

Module No.

Module Name

ECTS

Semester

Year 1

1

Fund Accounting

10

PT 1

2

Fund Structures, Environment, and Innovation

10

PT 1

3

Funds Industry Regulations and Governance

10

PT 2

 

Fund Accounting, 10 ECTS

This module will provide learners with the skills to prepare and understand basic financial statements as required for funds administration. It will also introduce fundamental knowledge on the principles that underpin how financial transactions are recorded, accounting records are kept, and the presentation and interpretation of accounting information. It will also introduce learners to the specific reporting requirements and important performance measures utilised in the funds industry such as the calculation of the Net Asset Value (NAV) of a fund daily.


Fund Structures, Environment and Innovation, 10 ECTS

Learners will develop a comprehension of the key operations and structures that exist in the funds industry. They will be able to differentiate between the types of financial assets that can be placed in a fund. The learner will also be introduced to the emerging alternative classes and investment structures, explore their continued growth and evaluate their risk profile and potential to deliver returns. Learners will explore a range of investment styles and strategies, and consider the critical role of benchmarks in assessing investment performance.


Fund Industry Regulations and Governance, 10 ECTS

The regulatory landscape within which financial services operate are a complex web of national and international laws and agreements. While these laws and rules are intended to promote financial stability, failure to comply with those laws and rules can be met with fines, loss of operating licenses and even prison sentences. It is very important that somebody wishing to work in financial services has a good understanding of the rules and laws under which they will be operating.


 





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Structure

The Certificate in Fund Accounting has a credit-based structure that requires learners to accumulate 30 ECTS part-time in order to successfully complete the programme. The distribution of credits on the programme closely reflects the anticipated time and effort required of learners to satisfactorily fulfil the requirements of each of the modules on the programme.

Stage 1, during the first semester learners will complete two modules ‘Fund Accounting’ and ‘Fund Structures, Environment, and Innovation.’

Stage 2 will build on the knowledge developed at Stage 1 in the module ‘Funds Industry Regulations 

This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.




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Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program may be interested in pursuing employment opportunities such as Junior Fund Accountant or Fund Accountant (Client Operations). There is good opportunity for progression in this area and after further study or experience, graduates may wish to apply for roles such as Senior Fund Accountant. 








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Eligibility

For information on eligibility and funding eligibility requirements, visit the Springboard+ website

Application Procedures

The application procedures are in 2 stages. First, DBS will contact you in relation to collecting your academic documents to ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements of the programme you have applied for. Then, closer to course commencement, we will contact you again in relation to information on the uploading of the required documentation in order to ensure you meet the Springboard+ Eligibility Criteria. To find out what documents you are required to upload, please check the Guidance for Applicants on Verifying Eligibility document.

 

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner. More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS and on programme handbooks provided at induction.








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Next Steps

Apply online via the Springboard portal.

Corporate Services

Did you know?  DBS now can meet with you and your company to discuss the Springboard+ Government funded programmes, to see if it could work as a learning & development solution for your organisation.  This is ideal for any size organisation in any industry based in Dublin and the surrounding counties that may want to invest in employees' professional development.

For more information on this new service or to arrange a meeting, please contact our Corporate Services Team on [email protected] or by telephone 01 417 7500.







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Categories:
  • 7
  • Part-Time
  • FREE* Springboard+ Programmes
  • Accounting & Finance

Course overview

Awarding Body:
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)


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Duration: 1 Academic Year  
Study Mode: 
Part-time / 2 evenings per week
Award Level: Level 7 Special Purpose
ECTS Credits: 30
10% Contribution (if applicable): €240
Next Intake: March 2025

Contact

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025. Contact our admissions team for more information

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 5:15pm